A Toronto institution with live music and screaming-cold beer

The vibe

The drinks

The food

The service

Our Review

So, what should we know before we go?Nothing screams "metal bar" quite like a façade emblazoned with more eviscerated bike frames and machine parts than a scrap yard. Open since 1991, "the Bovine," as it's known, is one of Toronto's most iconic rock bars; Lenny Kravitz, U2, The Strokes, Foo Fighters, Guns N' Roses, Kings of Leon, and Mötley Crüe have all played here. With live music almost every night, the institution always has something worth checking out.

Sounds right up our alley. Who else is there?On any given night, you never know what the crowd will be like—and that's the beauty of it.

Got it. And how are the drinks?Fun mixed drinks, including piña coladas and mai-tais, are a nice option in summer, when the rooftop patio is open. The beers and spirits are pretty standard, but you're not here for high-concept mixology.

Worth ordering something to eat, too?Pulled-pork sandwiches, fries, and buck-a-shuck oysters: food plays second fiddle to the beer. Your best bet is to eat elsewhere before or after.

Done. Did the staff do you right?Fast, efficient, and adept at hearing orders over the roaring music.

Bottom line: what are we coming here for?This Queen West mainstay has managed to keep itself relevant for the better part of three decades, and it's still as much fun today as it was in 1991.